Taking a rifle to Namibia via Germany advice needed...

Powdermaker

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I am finalizing my plans for our upcoming family vacation to German and Namibia. My wife, youngest son and I, plan to spend 9 days to visit friends and relatives near Frankfurt. We will then take a direct flight to Windhoek, Namibia. Two weeks hunting and touring in Namibia and then return home via the same route.

We will be flying with three different airlines; WestJet from Saskatoon to Toronto, and Icelandic Air from Toronto to Reykjavik, Iceland. A brief stop to switch planes and then on to Frankfurt. In Frankfurt we will fly on Condor Air to Windhoek. All three airlines have clear policies for transporting firearms. So far so good.

However, I am having difficulty determining firearms policy while switching planes in Iceland. Is a firearms permit required? Also, in Germany? My contacts in Germany can get me a German hunting license, but it is only valid for 2 weeks. ( We are traveling 3 weeks) Is it possible to store my rifle at the airport during our stay?

Any advice or links to pertinent websites would be appreciated.

I determined that the cost of renting a firearm is about $400. The extra baggage cost to bring my own, is about the same. My son and I are both left hand shooters, so it would be great to use our own rifle. In the end, not a big problem if we have to rent- Just have to make that first shot count! :whistle:

I plan to write a report when I get back in September. This forum has been valuable resource for my Safari planning. Can't thank you guys enough for hosting this website. (y)
 
Switching Airlines that many times has me concerned for you.

What city do you fly into in Germany?
Frankfurt requires a permit last I heard. Costs money now and requires you to apply in advance.
 
We will be flying into Frankfurt. We will stay in Germany for 9 days, so we are really trying to combine two trips into one. More my wife's idea than mine, but I will make it work.
Thanks for the advice, Brickburn!
 
Now you are talking about truly importing a rifle into Germany. Different requirements.
Contact the Frankfurt police and get the up to date information.
 
Yes, we may spend a few mornings hunting roe deer. My friend in Germany is working on that....he is not optimistic I can import my rifle. Either way, I will post my findings here.
 
That many switches between airlines would stress me out to no end if I had to worry about rifles.
 
Yes, we may spend a few mornings hunting roe deer. My friend in Germany is working on that....he is not optimistic I can import my rifle. Either way, I will post my findings here.

Good luck.
 
That many switches between airlines would stress me out to no end if I had to worry about rifles.

Well, I live in the middle of nowhere. So, it normally takes at least one transfer to get a direct flight to Europe. We have 4 hours in Toronto, so enough time to get the rifle sorted out and on its way. If it is checked through to Frankfurt, then all is good. Unless, they confiscate it in Frankfurt, because I lack the proper permits. Thats what I'll be working on in the next few weeks. Hey, a trip is supposed to be an adventure....but in the end, the rifle may stay home.
 
Just in case. Do you know you need a Canadian export permit for your rifle AND your scope AND Ammo?
 
Just in case. Do you know you need a Canadian export permit for your rifle AND your scope AND Ammo?

Yes Indeed. Went through the process on my first trip to the Eastern cape back in 2013.
 
Good. Hope you can put it all together.
 
Now you are talking about truly importing a rifle into Germany. Different requirements.
Contact the Frankfurt police and get the up to date information.
Let me emphasize Brickburn's comment....BIG DIFFERENCE IN THE REQUIREMENTS FOR IMPORT!
 
Well, I live in the middle of nowhere. So, it normally takes at least one transfer to get a direct flight to Europe. We have 4 hours in Toronto, so enough time to get the rifle sorted out and on its way. If it is checked through to Frankfurt, then all is good. Unless, they confiscate it in Frankfurt, because I lack the proper permits. Thats what I'll be working on in the next few weeks. Hey, a trip is supposed to be an adventure....but in the end, the rifle may stay home.

I'm sure you will have a hell of a time either way.
 
Don’t plan this trip without a top travel agent. Does Condor even carry guns? Best of luck
 
Don’t plan this trip without a top travel agent. Does Condor even carry guns? Best of luck
Yes, Condor does.

I understand your preference for using your own weapons, particularly since I am a lefty. Heck, I took mine on my first and second trips to Namibia. But there's a point where the complications don't make it worth it. In my books this trip would be such without a question, which is exactly why I used loaned rifles on my third trip in South Africa in August. Getting the permitting right won't be easy and getting it wrong will make things worse. Add all those flights, increasing chances of luggage getting misplaced or delayed and missing the next leg, not good.
Do yourself a favor, find out what right-handed rifles you can borrow in both Germany and Namibia, track down and borrow the same models if possible from friends or family. Then practice cycling rounds through them and get comfortable with their safetys. I can work a right handed Ruger M77 almost as fast as my lefty. Worry about taking your own next trip if it's a less complex set of flights.

Just my two cents.
 
Don’t plan this trip without a top travel agent. Does Condor even carry guns? Best of luck

Yes, this flight is very popular with german hunters as it is the only direct flight from Germany to Namibia. My problem is in obtaining permission to bring a rifle to Germany. In order to get a German hunting license, you need to provide proof that you have a hunting license in the country of origin. I have done this in the past, and will again for this trip but it is only valid for 2 weeks. I need it for 3 weeks. If they recognize my Canadian firearms license, I may be OK. My German friend is inquiring on my behalf. I will post the results of this query, once I learn their answer.
 
[/QUOTE]I understand your preference for using your own weapons, particularly since I am a lefty. Heck, I took mine on my first and second trips to Namibia. But there's a point where the complications don't make it worth it. In my books this trip would be such without a question, which is exactly why I used loaned rifles on my third trip in South Africa in August. Getting the permitting right won't be easy and getting it wrong will make things worse. Add all those flights, increasing chances of luggage getting misplaced or delayed and missing the next leg, not good.
Do yourself a favor, find out what right-handed rifles you can borrow in both Germany and Namibia, track down and borrow the same models if possible from friends or family. Then practice cycling rounds through them and get comfortable with their safetys. I can work a right handed Ruger M77 almost as fast as my lefty. Worry about taking your own next trip if it's a less complex set of flights.

Just my two cents.[/QUOTE]

I am thinking of following your advice! Since we are only hunting plains game, the need for a quick second shot is not life threatening. We will enjoy the German part of the trip more, without the stress of having a rifle along. I am still going to inquire with the Frankfurt police, to see if they will accept my Canadian Firearms license. It might be good to know for future trips.

Thanks everyone for your responses.
 

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